Finally, the long sword collided with the black claw.
The latter stopped attacking for a short moment, then with a string of slight metallic sounds, Austin's
long sword broke into sections.
Just then, the black claw that was wrapped in strong vital energy flew toward Austin's head.
Austin spat out the blood pooling in his mouth. He moved his feet and tried to summon the Wind-
commanding Skill.
However, under the immense pressure of the enormous black claw, Austin couldn't move flexibly. He
managed to take a sideways step, but he couldn't dodge the claw. It struck him on the right shoulder.
Austin felt as though his insides were burning as the intensity of the collision was akin to being struck
by lightning. The power of the blow also forced Austin back. Even though he dug his heels into the
ground, he was pushed several feet back. Two deep trenches had been carved into the ground behind
him. The act of defending against the attack had almost used up all of Austin's vital energy.
Battling with a cultivator of the Earth Realm, Austin seemed weak. And he was injured with the first
blow.
Fortunately, he had summoned the Spiritual Sense Flying Needle and decreased the power of
Johnson's attack. Otherwise, he would have been injured more severely.
In fact, Johnson was even more surprised than Austin was. He had gained much fame because of the
Spectral Claw, and he knew how powerful it was. He had killed many cultivators at the Earth Realm
with this skill.
Johnson figured that Austin had reached the level sixth of the Energy Gathering Realm in vital energy
cultivation. He wondered why Austin had only been injured, although badly, but not killed by his attack.
Besides, he suspected that Austin had used some skill to cause the sharp pain he had felt in his brain.
"Well, it's no wonder that you were called the best outer disciple before. However, you have used up
your vital energy now, and you have no chance of survival," Johnson snorted.
Just then, another black claw which was bigger than the last one formed in front of him. The vital
energy around it was even more astonishing.
Sensing how weak he had become, Austin knew that his vital energy was going to dry out.
He communicated with the vital energy stone in his belly mentally, then a steady stream of vital energy
gushed from the stone. Austin suddenly felt the vital energy in his body had resumed to its peak.
He became excited. 'The vital energy stone is useful in such critical moments!' he thought.
Although he had regained his vital energy, his internal wounds hadn't healed yet. If he were injured a
few more times, Austin probably wouldn't survive.
Without enough time to think, Austin jumped, wiped the blood from his lips, and prepared for the next
round.
When the crowd saw Austin jump up so quickly after being severely injured, they couldn't help but
admire his fortitude.
Since they didn't know that Austin's vital energy had recovered, they assumed that his spiritual strength
was supporting him.
"Hum! It's useless to stand again," Marvin said sarcastically. The better Austin performed, the angrier
he became.
The large black claw grew rapidly. Once it was filled with violent black vital energy, it rushed toward
Austin. The disciples covered their ears as shrieking ghosts' cries filled the air.
The black claw, with its powerful momentum, had blocked Austin's vital energy. It seemed to have
confined Austin in a small space as well. Now, Austin could neither move, nor could he use the Wind-
commanding Skill.
Austin knew that he had no escape, and so he gathered all his vital energy into his arm and clenched
his fist before throwing a punch at the black claw.
Austin punched so hard that his hair band was shaken off and his hair fluttered in the wind like
countless black snakes dancing in the storm. He looked fearless and mighty.
The outer disciples were shocked by Austin's strength when they saw him initiate the attack after being
injured. Now they knew why he had been regarded as the best outer disciple before.
If they were him, the disciples would have died after the first attack by the horrible claw.
The moment his fist touched the huge claw, Austin cast another Spiritual Sense Flying Needle.
Johnson felt another stroke of pain in his head. As before, the power of the claw weakened a little bit.
After several attacks, Austin was thrown aside by the claw again. He spat another mouthful of blood as
he fell to the ground.
The clothes on his chest were stained with blood. In sharp contrast to Austin's pale face, the dazzling
redness of the blood looked abnormally beautiful.
Blood continued pouring out as Austin coughed. He felt like his viscera had been moved. As sharp pain
coursed through his body, Austin knew that his injuries were more serious.
Austin was even more disheartened when he felt that his vital energy had almost depleted again.
The claw was so powerful that with a single blow, his vital energy had been consumed.
Austin communicated with the vital energy stone mentally again and then a large amount of vital
energy gushed out.
In the blink of an eye, Austin's vital energy was refilled again.
The vital energy stone contained the vital energy of seven earth spirit fruits, which was enough for
Austin to restore his vital energy several times.
As the vital energy had a healing effect, his injuries were getting better as well.
He pressed against the ground lightly and then stood straight. With his chin lifted in defiance, Austin
stared at Johnson.
"That's impossible!"
Johnson shouted. He was astonished and glared at Austin like he was a monster. These incidents were
bizarre, indeed!
He couldn't believe that a cultivator at the level five or sixth of the Energy Gathering Realm could stand
up after being attacked by his Spectral Claw multiple times.
Seeing the gleam in Austin's eyes, Johnson suspected that he had found a way to recover his vital
energy quickly.
In his opinion, even if Austin's competence was much higher than cultivators at the same cultivation
level as him, it was impossible for him to recover so soon.
Remembering the sharp pains he had suffered twice, Johnson estimated that Austin must have done
something to him.
'He is such a freak!
If he keeps on cultivating, he will reach an incredible level in the future!
If I don't do something now, I will have an unbeatable opponent to face later.
No. I won't let that happen! I must kill him while he is still weak.'
Johnson had decided to kill Austin.
Just then, overwhelming vital energy gushed out from his body and inflated the robe he was wearing.
As the gown got bigger, a terrifying claw appeared in front of him.
"Die!"
Johnson shouted. Then the black giant claw enlarged significantly and rushed at Austin in the roaring
wind.
Austin gritted his teeth and swung his fist with all his vital energy at the giant claw.
"Johnson, stop!"
A loud voice was heard before a person in a purple dress floated toward the two men.
Robust vital energy erupted from his body and formed a giant golden bird that roared as it flew in the
air.
The bird's body was covered in an elegant pattern of dense and faint lighting that made it appear
mighty.
62fb1bb41dcb31934bd49bda